TIMBER COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 103, 28 May 1909, Page 2

TIMBER COMMISSION.

WELLINGTON SITO.MiS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Tuesday. At to-day's sitting of the Timber Commission. Mr. Dalziel, managing director of the Taupo Totara Company, said the company had conducted business in face of great difficulties. ,lnst when they began to feel the benefit of the Auckland market, they found il Hooded with Oregon, the Americans taking advantage of our market to relieve their own distress. Ili; held that our market slioul.l be instrumental in relieving the distress of tile local people. Hi- eompa'iy had 12,(100 acres, and expended C 120,000 on a railway alone. The capital of the company was ,t-J,")0,000, but the company had not yet been a great success. He believed that had it not been lor the Importation of Oregon larger profits would have been made.

-Mr. Kensington, I'lidcrSeerclary of Lands, said the area in New Zealand covered wit]] milling limber was 14.181,lIM acres, with 1(4,7()^ 1 ;i25,."»;{7 supcrlieial feet. The area of Crown lands, including State forest reserve*, was 7.010,.i;1,"> acres, with lS,(i(iS,!Mi;i feet. The area of national parks, scenic and climatic reserves, was 2,0"!U)20 acres, with l,4!l!l,7!)!l,!)40 supcrlieial feet. Private and native areas amounted U> 5,041.41(1 acres, equal to 14,r)7.'),lii>:i,HiH feet, file supplies would last for some .">0 or (i() years. About CI7fl,(IOO had necn spent in reafforestation.

TAKINTi OK EVIDENCE CONCLUDED.

Wellington, Last Night. The Timber Commission concluded its hearing of evidence at fi p.m. to-day, after having held 20 meetings in almost every part of the iJimiuion. The members meet, in committee tn-niorrow morning to consider their recommendations to the (ioverniiicnt.

Prior to rising to-day, Mr. W. 11. Field, M.l\, in moving it vote of thanks to those who had givtm evidence. said the experience of the Commission was probably unique, inasinueh as everv witness, for whatever side, bad eome forward voluntarily, and "iuul never asked one penny for expenses. This was a very big record, and showed the interest the parties had taken in the Commission. The motion was seconded bv .Mr. .1. Arnold and carried, the TTon. T. V. Dmteiui emphasising the remarks of t'ie proposer that the Commission had been unique.